The Lion Woman

Eva Arctander is born with a rare condition that paints her skin and hair with blonde fur from head to toe. Her father reacts with overwhelming shame and locks her away, isolating her from outside world and ordinary life he cannot bear to see her lead. Inside their apartment, Eva learns to maneuver a life defined by routine and fear, while a stubborn nanny refuses to surrender her to a life of invisibility. The caregiver fights for Eva to be heard and treated with the same dignity as anyone else, challenging the boundaries of family loyalty and social judgment. As Eva grows into a young woman, the tension between concealment and belonging becomes a quiet exploration of identity and resilience.

The Lion Woman, released in 2016 in Norway, is directed by Vibeke Idsøe. The film centers on Eva Arctander and unfolds through an intimate, driven approach emphasizing emotion over spectacle and inviting viewers into secrecy. It signals Idsøe's growing voice.

Box office data for The Lion Woman is not widely reported. The film had a modest release, with visibility mainly on national screens and festival circuits, shaping its reception and streaming presence rather than achieving broad international grosses in select markets.

Critics describe the film as a quiet, humane drama that uses Eva's condition to explore identity, belonging, and the price of secrecy. The story centers on resilience in the face of stigma, and on the delicate balance between protection and autonomy in a family. Its tone remains restrained yet hopeful.

There are no major awards or nominations widely reported for The Lion Woman. Still, reviewers highlighted the performances, especially the portrayal of Eva and the tense dynamics with her father, and praised the film for its compassionate look at disability, isolation, and the courage of those who fight for inclusion.